Elizabeth S. James

Elizabeth S. James, age 97, of Monmouth, passed away at 6:45 a.m., Monday, January 16, 2012 at the Monmouth Nursing Home in Monmouth, Ill. She was born on March 5, 1914 in the Roseville Township, Ill. to George T. and Helen A. Elliott Brooks. She was reared and educated in the Roseville area, and attended the rural Pleasant Hill School and graduated from Roseville High School in 1932. After graduation from high school she worked for a time at the Danukos Candy Kitchen. Elizabeth also worked at Spurgeon's and Mayfred's. Later she was an employee of the Glendora Shop for several years. Then she was an employee at Illinois Banker's Life Insurance Company in the loan department. Elizabeth continued to work for Central Standard Life Insurance when they merged with Illinois Bankers Life. She married F. Edward James on February 14, 1942 in Monmouth. They then moved to their farm in Roseville Township for a time. In 1947, they and their three children moved back to Monmouth. She was again employed by Central Standard Life Insurance until the company moved to Chicago. Elizabeth was employed in the Office of Dr. Russell M. Jensen and Dr. James Marshall until both retired. She worked for thirty eight years for Dr. Marshall. She was then employed by Dr. K K Patel, and Dr. Lempke. She retired in 1990. She excelled at making home made angel food cakes. As a youth she attended the Roseville Baptist Church where she was baptized. After moving to Monmouth, she transferred to Second U.P. Church. She was ordained as a Deacon and served as their Social Service Chairman, a member of the former Kemmer Circle. She was President of the Woman Organization and a member of the Sewing Circle of Faith U.P. Church. She was a charter member of the Hillcrest Home Bureau. She held office in the New Century Club. Elizabeth was president of the American legion Ladies Auxiliary and a member for over 50 years. She was president of the Monmouth Business and Professional Club and also the Monmouth Travel Club. Elizabeth was also the past president of the Monmouth Hospital Auxiliary and a member for over fifty years. She also volunteered a number of years with the Red Cross Bloodmobile, a Den Mother for Cub Scouts, and served as president of Costello Terrace Organization. Surviving Elizabeth are two sons; Richard James (Judi) of Winchester, Ill., Gary James (Julia) of Naples, Fl., daughter Barbara Horner (Dr. William) of Union City, Tenn., grandchildren; Kathleen Jenkins (Scott), Kimberly Knecht (James), Karrie Damerell (PJ), Krista Kunz (Abe), Lisa Callicott (Brent), Angela Ryan, Amy Hollaway (Byron), James Horner, (Lisa), and John Horner (Amy). Great grandchildren; Jacob & Conner Jenkins, Kourtney, Jadie, Jesse and Kody Knecht, Alexa, Braden, and Ashlyn Damerell, Whitney, Morgan, & Luke Kunz, Alexis, Jacob, Olivia and Zackary Ryan and Gracyn Callicot, Brady and Madelyn Hollaway, Andrew and Macy Horner, Ethan, Grace and Max Ferguson, Carlie, Isabella and Abby Young, Joanna Ferguson (Erik) and Jennifer Young (Ryan). Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, brothers; William, Leland, Virgil, Earl, and Lester Brooks. Sisters; Gladys Shawler, Vada Kinney, Clara Ross and Lucille Huntley. Services:A funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 20, 2012 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth. Interment will be in Monmouth Cemetery Friends may call an hour prior to the service at the funeral home where her family will be present to receive friends. A memorial fund has been established for the Faith United Presbyterian Church the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary or the Community Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.